The other week it was time for our Naturalist Society’s annual field trip to Camp Wainwright, Alberta, to view the Sharp-tailed Grouse dance.
It was my sixth time waking up before sunrise to watch the birds on their lek. Until this year, I had been using point and shoot cameras to photograph the grouse, but this year I was eager to use my new DSLR! Luckily the morning was nice and sunny, through we had to leave just as the light was getting really good. All the photographs I took were with the Nikkor 200-500mm lens. I so enjoyed taking photos with my D610 and I can’t wait to use it more throughout the spring and summer.
The grouse seemed to be very active behind the blinds, and I was hoping to photograph the males sparring, but I guess they weren’t in much of a fighting mood that morning. Our group counted eight displaying males this year, and two females.
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/250, ISO 6400, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/250, ISO 5000, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/250, ISO 3200, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/250, ISO 3200, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/320, ISO 3200, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/320, ISO 3200, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
A female looking at the males,
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 2000, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 2000, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 2000, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 2000, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/640, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/800, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
Nikon D610, handheld, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600, Nikkor 200-500mm, natural light
The Sharp-tailed Grouse tours are hosted every year by the Wainwright Wildlife Society. This year they’re holding the tours until May 7th, so if you’re interested in watching this amazing spectacle, bookings are still available. Contact ljhoover AT hotmail DOT com or phone 780-842-2399 to register. The cost for the tour is $10 for students and $15 for adults.
You can find the Wainwright Wildlife Society’s website here and you can “Like” them on their Facebook page here.
Prairie Birder 
They are beautiful !
They are one of my favourites :)
That’s quite a display they put on! Great shots, Charlotte. :)
Thank you very much!
What an amazing scene to capture. They are beautiful
It’s one of my favourite birding outings, I look forward to it each year.
Always fun at Wainwright!!
How many times have you been, Bob?